Open Enrollment Help Available

The Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D and Advantage Plans for 2014 began October 15 and continues through December 7.

Athens Community Council on Aging and the local GeorgiaCares program will be hosting free seminars and question sessions at local senior centers to help guide seniors through this process as well as offer answers to questions about the plans.

GeorgiaCares will host a seminar on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Jasper County Senior Center, 1617 Hwy. 212 in Monticello, across Mack Tillman Drive from the Sheriff’s Office. It will last from 10:30 a.m. until noon.

This session will provide free information and guidance on Medicare benefits.

Anyone eligible for Medicare Benefits should attend this information session for the most up to date Medicare information.

During this open enrollment time, any beneficiary enrolled on Medicare can change, drop, or enroll in the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program or Medicare Advantage Plan program.

It is very important for eligible participants to pay close attention to any mail they may receive this fall regarding their plan and any changes noted to the plan. This notice could signal that you may need to look for other coverage for 2013.

Staying up to date on your plan and being well informed is key in knowing what your best options are, said the announcement from GeorgiaCares. “It is always a good idea to check on your plan’s coverage just to make sure the medicines you are taking now will be covered next year. Although, you should receive information through the mail on coverage and formulary changes, it is a good idea to consult with someone just to make sure you didn’t miss the piece of mail or overlook the changes.”

Anyone with questions about their plan, may contact the GeorgiaCares office to go over their options. The local contact for GeorgiaCares is Jessica Bankston and she can be reached at 706-549-4850 or call the GeorgiaCares office at 1-866-55-AGING.